Updated population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau show that Massachusetts has grown by more than 2.2 percent since 2010, with the eastern part of the state leading the way.

“I think the level of growth is really striking,” said Tim Reardon, assistant director of data services for the Metropolitan Area Planning Council. “Some of these regions have grown as much in the past three years as they did in all of the 2000s. It’s a really critical component of the vibrancy of Massachusetts in the coming decade.”

The Greater Boston, Merrimack Valley, South Shore and MetroWest regions saw particularly high growth rates, according to the 2013 population estimates the U.S. Census Bureau released on May 28.

“I think the reason why those places have performed so well is in part due to new job growth there and the incredible job growth going on in the inner core of Boston as well,” Reardon said.

Cape Cod and the Berkshires, however, saw population declines. Those regions, he said, haven’t seen the same level of development and job creation as Greater Boston.

Situated on the South Shore, Cohasset experienced a population increase of nearly 9.7 percent since 2010, making it the fastest-growing community in Massachusetts, according to the Census Bureau.

Some Cohasset officials, however, question whether the U.S. Census Bureau significantly overestimated the town’s population and growth. Figures from the town manager and town clerk’s offices show much more modest growth, Selectman Diane Kennedy said.

The U.S. Census Bureau’s population estimates are based in part on birth rates, death rates and building permits.

Leading the state, Suffolk County saw a 4.6 percent jump in population since the 2010 census. Middlesex County (3.3 percent), Essex County (2.61 percent) and Norfolk County (2.5 percent) all grew at a faster rate than the state average.

The numbers, Reardon said, are most meaningful in larger communities and on the state and county level, as they show evidence of sustained population trends.

He added that it’s important to keep in mind that in small communities — Cohasset has a population of less than 8,300 — it can be hard to draw significant conclusions. One or two major housing developments can significantly skew the growth rates.

“Cohasset is pretty well built-out, so I don’t think it’s a trend,” she said. “We’ve had some modest growth. I don’t see us multiplying over the years.”

Taunton’s population, which in 2013 was estimated to be 56,069, barely grew from 2010 to 2013.

The growth rate, according to the Census Bureau, increased 0.35 percent during the three-year period when an additional 195 people became Silver City residents.

Former Office of Economic Development director and current Taunton Development Corporation part-time project manager Dick Shafer said the key to success for local, long-term economic growth depends, ideally, on “controlled growth” of population.

The TDC, which more recently has collaborated with state finance agency MassDevelopment to develop a life-science eduction and training center on 50 acres of Myles Standish Industrial Park property, has for decades marketed and managed MSIP.

Shafer, who has been affiliated with TDC since the 1980s and also chairs the regional economic strategies committee of SRPEDD, the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District, said it’s a positive sign the city has shown at least some population growth.

He said he recalls how Taunton’s population shrunk by nearly 50 people in 2010, marking the first time in modern history that had happened.

Shafer said historically, the MSIP has been a key driver in attracting new businesses, a significant portion of whose workers commute to work from the Boston area.

But he said other employees choose to take advantage of more affordable home prices in Taunton and, as a result, move to and remain in the city.

The key, he said, is to strike a balance so that the city collects revenue without undue burden in providing additional services, such as schools and infrastructure.

City Councilman Gerald Croteau recently asked Economic and Community Development director Kevin Shea whether his office can help promote and market Myles Standish Industrial Park in order to reduce what Croteau said is a 16-percent vacancy rate.

Shafer, however, said recent survey data indicate the vacancy rate is now just shy of 10 percent, including nearly 100 companies and businesses and about 6,200 workers.

The Census Bureau indicated that Raynham’s population, which is just under 14,000, grew 1.28 percent from 2010 to 2013; Rehoboth’s population for the same period grew 1.97 percent; Berkley edged up by 1.64 percent; and Dighton’s population increased by 1.81 percent.

The bureau estimated the population of the entire county of Bristol increased by just 0.82 percent.

Throughout the first decade of the 2000s, Massachusetts saw an overall population growth of approximately 3 percent, experiencing losses in some years. As its population growth failed to keep pace with other states, Massachusetts lost a representative in Congress.

In addition to job creation in and around Boston, the MAPC also points to efforts at the state and local levels to invest in housing.

News that the state is now gaining residents at a higher pace should be welcome news for cities and towns, as population growth typically leads to higher tax revenues and more disposable income making its way into the economy.